The President called the incident a “global tragedy,” and called for the Russian separatists and Ukrainians to hold a ceasefire.

ABC news reports that State Department officials have stated that no US passports were used to check in for flight MH17, although passengers with dual citizenships have not been ruled out.

During the press conference, Obama also honored the “nearly 100” scientists, researchers and health workers on MH17 who were bound for an AIDS conference in Australia.

Obama also commented on the violence and unrest in eastern Ukraine, and added that the United States would work to de-escalate the conflict.

“Russia, these separatists, and Ukraine, all have the capacity to put an end to the fighting,” Obama said.

“Meanwhile, the United States is going to continue to lead efforts within the world community to de-escalate the situation, to stand up for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and to support the people of Ukraine as the courageously work to strengthen their democracy and their own decisions about how to move forward.”

Obama also said the US is confident that the missile that brought down MH17 “came from areas controlled by separatists,” and that “a group of separatists cannot shoot down.. fighter jets without sophisticated equipment.. And that is coming from Russia.”

“This will be a wake up call for Europe and the world that there are consequences for escalating conflict in eastern Ukraine,” the President added.

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